Distracted and Downcast

Distracted

She can’t think straight

Can’t find enough quiet and peace

Even nature’s a distracting beast…

“Oh look, a snake!” 🐍

Not the greatest start in the grand scheme of things…

Where can she go?

Where can she flee?

The library?

Under her bed?

A monastery?

Should have been a nun….

Ah, but she isn’t a Catholic

So that won’t work

Why does life have to be such a jerk!!!!!!????

She’s heard it said, if you can’t beat them, join them…

Blow that cockamamie tripe!

There’s got to be a better plan. 🤔

One foot in front of the other, she always says.

Well, sometimes says…

Okay maybe she doesn’t say it that often.

There could still be better times ahead.

Definitely better rhymes ahead.

She’ll work on it….

Tina

October 18, 2025

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Testing of Your Faith

Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 (Amplified Bible)

Image by Liselotte Brunner from Pixabay

Downcast

Dark clouds and grey moods

Uncertainty and sorrows

She’s trying to trust the Lord

But she’s still worried about tomorrow….

Yet even here

And even now

With little faith and lots of doubt

She’s still loved

Still cared for

She’s still His

And Still held.

Tina

October 24, 2025

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Mental Distress is Not a Sin.

Distress is simply a sign that we’re very human. Elijah felt it after threats from Queen Jezebel. King David felt it as well, questioning his own soul, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? 

Countless others experienced fear or despair, including the King of Kings–Jesus Himself, the night before He was crucified. Faith doesn’t require us to be numb, emotionless or put on a facade for others or God. On the contrary, Scripture encourages us to carry one anothers burdens. God didn’t rebuke Elijah for falling into despair. No, He sent him an angel, providing Elijah with food and rest.

Therefore, don’t believe the lie that your fears or doubts are shameful and beyond God’s love, mercy and kindness. The Lord encourages us to pray instead of worrying because He wants to provide us with peace and strength. He cares about our distress. He also completely understands it because He’s been there as well.

Jesus Shares His Distress in Prayer

And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup [of divine wrath] from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done.” Now an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony [deeply distressed and anguished; almost to the point of death], He prayed more intently; and His [a] sweat became like drops of blood, falling down on the ground.

Luke 22:41-44 (Amplified Version)

(a) Luke 22:44 – A potentially life-threatening physical response to extreme physical or mental stress, hematidrosis.

—Tina

Thank you for reading. God Bless.